A Heathlhy Addiction

I’m really addicted to the high I get from my garden! 

This time of year finds me implementing the new strategies I agonized over this long, cold winter.  And, I’m pretty pleased with some of the changes I’ve made.

First of all, I’m using wheat straw as mulch instead of shredded hardwood mulch.  And, I’ve tried something new with some of my raised beds.  A thin layer of straw went down on the over-turned soil from last season to which I added 2 bags of organic planting soil.  Bush watermelons, poblano peppers and red bell peppers are being grown this way. I also am trying fabric “bags” that are planted like pots.  They are porous bags that allow drainage and better air circulation around the roots.  In these pots are planted two types of winter squash, cantaloupe and 3 bags of fingerling potatoes!  I did not put these “bags” inside the confines of my fenced veggie patch, however, but outside in the lower fenced pasture.  The vining plants are positioned near the fence in hopes that I may be able to tie them to the fencing and train the vines off the ground.   

The asparagus is growing….and growing!  I can’t believe how well the bed is looking already and both Tom, my father-in-law, and I are confident that the site we chose was perfect.

Our method of “casting” seed has been a brilliant experiment with the radishes, lettuces, and spinach.  And our rows of beets and carrots are doing well, too, although with the next crop we may try casting these seeds, as well.  Why not?

 And, the tomatoes are planted…on time!  One whole bed of three varieties including a tiny cutie named ‘red currant tomato’ with tomatoes the size of your pinky fingernail….sweet and delicious.  I can’t wait!

I try not to answer my phone or respond to text messages when I’m in my garden.  It’s my sanctuary, my gym, and, as I’ve said before, my therapist’s sofa.  Life couldn’t be better on the days I spent any amount of time amidst the plants, birds, butterflies and bugs…

Something tells me this addiction is a pretty healthy one!